THE BUZZING SOUND

“Are you Mrs. Damon?” came the question again—­rather more impatiently this time, Tom thought.

“Yes,” answered the lady, glancing over at Tom.  The extension telephone was in the same room.  Softly Tom switched on the phonograph attachment.  The little wax cylinder began to revolve noiselessly, ready to record the faintest word that came over the wire.

“You got a message from me yesterday,” went on the hoarse voice.  In vain Tom tried to recall whether or not he had heard it before.  He could not place it.

“Who are you?” asked Mrs. Damon.  She and Tom had previously agreed on a line of talk.  “Tell me your name, please.”

“There’s no need for any names to be used,” went on the unknown at the other end of the wire.  “You heard what I said yesterday.  Are you willing to send me those land title papers, if we release your husband?”

“But where shall I send them?” asked Mrs. Damon, to gain time.

“You’ll be told where.  And listen—­no tricks!  You needn’t try to find out who I am, nor where I am.  Just send those papers if you want to see your husband again.”

“Oh, how is he?  Tell me about him!  You are cruel to keep him a prisoner like this!  I demand that you release him!”

Tom had not told Mrs. Damon to say this.  It came out of her own heart—­she could not prevent the agonized outburst.

“Never mind about that, now,” came the gruff voice over the wire.  “Are you willing to send the papers?”

Mrs. Damon looked over to Tom for silent instructions.  He nodded his head in assent.

“Yes, I—­I will send them if you tell me where to get them to you —­if you will release Mr. Damon,” said the anxious wife.  “But tell me who you are—­and where you are!” she begged.

“None of that!  I’m not looking to be arrested.  You get the papers ready, and I’ll let you know to-morrow, about this time, where to send them.”

“Wait a minute!” called Mrs. Damon, to gain more time.  “I must know just what papers you want.”

“All right, I’ll tell you,” and he began to describe the different ones.

It took a little time for the unknown to give this information to Mrs. Damon.  The man was very particular about the papers.  There were trust deeds, among other things, and he probably thought that once he had possession of them, with Mrs. Damon’s signature, even though it had been obtained under a threat, he could claim the property.  Later it was learned that such was not the case, for Mrs. Damon, with Tom’s aid, could have proved the fraud, had the scoundrels tried to get the remainder of the Damon fortune.

But at the time it seemed to the helpless woman that everything she owned would be taken from her.  Though she said she did not care, as long as Mr. Damon was restored to her.

As I have said, the telephoning of the instructions about the papers took some time.  Tom had counted on this, and had made his plans accordingly.